Apply firm pressure to any wounds to help stop the bleeding. [3] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Call emergency services right away if the injured person continues to bleed profusely, even if you aren’t close to a hospital. The sooner medical help arrives, the better. [4] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Walking sticks and trekking poles are both great options. [6] X Research source For smaller injuries, like a finger fracture, you can use the neighboring finger as a “sturdy object. ”[7] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source If the elbow or shoulder is injured, tuck the person’s arm close to their body and wrap the whole torso, immobilizing the limb against the body. For these injuries, it’s better to make a soft splint like a sling rather than making a rigid splint. This treatment also works well for wrist or forearm injuries. [8] X Research source
Ankle: Splint from foot to mid-calf Thumb: Splint from mid-palm to mid-forearm Fingers: Splint from the injured fingers to the wrist Wrist: Splint from the hand to the elbow[11] X Research source
Make sure that the padding is snug around the injury without cutting off circulation.
For example, you could brace a leg injury by placing a long, rigid walking stick beneath the person’s leg (under the knee). You could brace an injured forearm by placing the rigid item beneath the arm (in line with the palm). [14] X Research source
Tie your splint securely, but make sure that it isn’t too tight. A really tight splint could prevent circulation.
You can use adhesive tape instead of cloth for the second layer of your splint. Wrap 4 strips of cloth or tape between the gaps of the fingers before you wrap the second layer of cloth around the injury. This helps keep them separated. Make sure the person’s fingertips are completely exposed and uncovered by the splint. This way, you can test their circulation easily.
Check the patient’s pulse to make sure they have enough circulation around their injury. If their pulse feels faint, loosen the splint ties a little bit. Check in with the injured individual, too. Ask them if their injury feels numb at all—if it does, loosen up the ties. [17] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Watch for any warning signs of shock, like short, quick breathing. If the person’s injuries allow it, lay them down with their legs elevated and their head a little lower than their chest. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you’re creating a splint for an open fracture (where the bone is sticking out of the skin), gently place a saline-moistened piece of sterile gauze on top of the injury. [21] X Research source
Colle’s/Volar: Best for upper forearm injuries Long arm or gutter: Best for wrist, forearm, and metacarpal proximal phalanx injuries Sugar tong: Best for elbow and upper arm injuries (needs to be used with a sling) Thumb spica: Best for thumb or scaphoid injuries Long leg: Best for lower femur or upper tibia/fibula injuries Posterior (short) leg: Best for lower tibia/fibula, foot, or ankle injuries Stirrup: Best for ankle injuries (even if the injury only affects the soft tissue)[22] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to source
A stockinette is a thin layer of fabric that creates a barrier between the patient’s skin and the splinting.
Finger splints are typically 2 in (5. 1 cm) wide, arm splints are usually 3 to 4 in (7. 6 to 10. 2 cm) wide, and leg splints are traditionally 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm) wide. Plaster splinting material usually comes in prefabricated splint rolls, with each roll having about 10-20 plaster sheets in it. Plaster of Paris is another popular type of splinting plaster—it usually comes in rolls or strips. [26] X Research source Make your measurement slightly longer if you’re working with Plaster of Paris strips or rolls, since this material often shrinks a little when the splint sets. [27] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to source
If you plan on splinting an arm with 10 layers of plaster, only use 5 layers of padding. If you plan on splinting a leg injury with 13 layers of plaster, just use 6-7 layers of padding.
Radial/Ulnar gutter: Make sure that the forearm is vertically upright. Thumb spica: Place the wrist in a completely neutral position with the thumb pointed out. Volar/Colles: Arrange the wrist in a neutral position with all 5 fingers slightly bent. Long arm or sugar tong: Lay the patient face-down and bend their arm around the side of the bed/stretcher at a right angle. Posterior (short) leg or stirrup: Sit the patient upright and have them bend their knee at a right angle. Make sure that the connected foot also creates a right angle with their leg.
It also helps to smooth out the damp plaster on a flat surface to get rid of any wrinkles or grooves. [32] X Trustworthy Source State of Oregon Official website for the State of Oregon Go to source It should have a really sloppy texture at this point. [33] X Research source Never use hot water to apply a splint. Wetting the plaster generates heat—when combined with hot water (especially water that’s at least 40 °C/104 °F), the patient might get burned. [34] X Research source
Give the patient a head’s up before you start molding the splint, since the process can be a bit painful.
If you don’t put a layer of padding down first, the bandage might meld with the plaster as it sets. This will make it really difficult to remove later on.
Plaster labeled as “fast-drying” takes about 5-8 minutes to set, while “extra-fast-drying” plaster only takes 2-4 minutes.
